Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Risk of Child Poisoning at Daycare Centers
Daycare employees are expected to keep constant watch over your child every day while he or she is in their care. They are also required to be aware of and to prevent accidental child poisoning incidents from happening as well.
Legally, daycare providers are held to a higher standard of having a duty of care for and to ensure the safety of their clients. Because of this, if a daycare staff has not been adequately trained or is negligent in his or her duties in caring for your child, you may have grounds for a Boston child injury lawsuit.
Childcare centers are especially vulnerable to incidents of accidental poisoning. Most of the children in daycare centers are under the age of 5, which places them in the highest at-risk group for injuries stemming from accidental poisoning.
Your child could be exposed to a countless number of toxic substances on the daycare center's premises, ranging from contaminated foods to cleaning products. Daycare staff should be thoroughly and professionally trained in recognizing the signs and symptoms of poisoning among children.
The following factors help to explain why children at this age are at such an elevated risk for accidental poisoning:
- They are in important phases of both physical and mental development
- They are more likely to taste and ingest items or products that they find or pick up
- Colorful and potentially toxic products are attractive to young children, who may be drawn to look closer
- Due to their young age, they are not able to comprehend the warning labels on toxic products
- Some may think that their 5-year-old is able to play with less supervision, but in fact, leaving your child alone for any length of time comes with significant risks
These factors may provide your child with an opportunity to access a poisonous product and ingest it. Child-proof caps can help to prevent accidental poisonings, but the daycare employees are legally responsible for the safety of your child while in their care each day.
When You Need to Talk to a Boston Child Injury Attorney
If your child has been accidentally poisoned while in the care of another, you shouldn't have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Boston child injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead.
Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury. Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today.
